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As they enter the training circle at Curves, female guests come face-to-face with the smiles of other women. And just as points on a circle share a common distance from the circle's center, workout participants share the experiences of those nearby by trading stations throughout the 30-minute training session. One minute is spent on a piece of strength-training equipment built for feminine frames and designed to work two opposing muscle groups with a single movement. Exercisers then move on to a recovery station, where they run, jog, or dance to maintain heart rates and keep platforms in place during momentary losses of gravity.

Beneath the high ceilings of Cast Away & Folk's modern craft shop, towering shelves overflow with bundles of color-coordinated yarn and fabric. Cobblers' tool shelves, iron baby bathtubs, and even a dingy retired from its maritime duties catch the runoff, creating a homey space peppered with vibrant colors for a distinctly bohemian feel.
At the center of this eclectic and cleanly designed space, customers can recline and survey how-to books or familiarize themselves with the supplies for one of Cast Away & Folk's staff-taught classes. Though the calendar implies a steady buzz of activity, the shop's proprietor doesn't stop there.

As they enter the training circuit at Curves, female guests come face-to-face with the smiles of other women. And just as points on a circle share a common distance from the circle's center, workout participants share the experiences of those nearby by trading stations throughout the 30-minute training session. Thirty seconds is spent on a piece of strength-training equipment built for feminine frames and designed to work two opposing muscle groups with a single movement. Exercisers then move on to a recovery station, where they run, jog, or dance to maintain heart rates and keep platforms in place during momentary losses of gravity.

Anytime Fitness, which boasts 1,689 clubs in North America, makes it easier for average folks to etch out time for exercise by doing one simple thing: staying open 24 hours a day for 365 days a year. As fitness seekers challenge themselves on cardio in clean, well-stocked facilities, security monitoring ensures they’re safe and producing enough sweat to meet official government standards. Members can also ramp up their exercise regimens with the help of Anytime Fitness’s staff of personal trainers, who demonstrate moves and sling motivating tips. After workouts, guests can shower in the private restrooms.

In Sonoma County, the University of California Cooperative Extension academic staff is at the forefront of change, working to preserve agriculture, helping communities shape wise public policy, and strengthening community development and leadership in our youth and adults.

The spider-like staffers at Vertex Climbing Center support customers of all climbing abilities as they scale a variety of faux rock faces. During ClimbTime classes, experienced instructors belay and handle equipment while climbers focus on mastering walls and top-of-the-mountain yodeling routines. A collection of 35-foot walls jut skyward at varying difficulties, from steeply inclined slabs to fully inverted overhangs. Following supervised climbing lessons, patrons can move on to more advanced classes or take a belay test that qualifies them to guide friends indoors and brag to retired sailors about knot-tying superiority.

Groupon Guide

This week: street-food stalls invade the Mission, street-soccer teams compete in tournaments, a movie consists entirely of cell phone calls, a pop-up market gathers goods for the swapping, and Bill Bellamy grabs the mic. As always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco.
San Francisco Street Food Festival
Mission | Saturday, August 16
Saturday is your last chance to visit one of San Francisco’s most iconic food festivals, as its continued growth will force it to leave Folsom Street behind after this year. Try made-to-order plates from more than 80 vendors, and help La Cocina promote its culinary entrepreneurs.
(Folsom St. from 20th St. to 26th St.; free admission, dishes are all $10 or less; buy prepaid food passports here, or save on a Friday-night meal package and festival drink tokens with a Groupon)
Street Soccer USA National Cup
Civic Center | Saturday, August 16, to Sunday, August 17
Intense games of 4v4 street soccer take over the Civic Center Plaza to decide the city’s champion, all while raising money to aid the homeless and at-risk youth. Grab some snacks from the onsite vendors and watch a few matches—each one is only about 20 minutes long.
(1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.; free)
"I Play With The Phrase Each Other"
Mission | Tuesday, August 19
Nicknamed “the cell phone movie” by its own producers, I Play With The Phrase Each Other is a film entirely comprised of phone calls. Show up at the Roxie Theater an hour before the 7 p.m. screening to drink some wine with writer and director Jay Alvarez.
(3117 16th St.; $12; buy tickets here)
Score! Pop Up Mega Swap
SoMa | Thursday, August 21
Score! pop-up events encourage guests to bring their old clothes, housewares, books, and whatever else they’re tired of to a communal swap. Everything is free after you pay admission, and other attractions will be close at hand, from food trucks to a screenprinting station.
(SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th St.; $7–$10; buy tickets here)
Bill Bellamy
Russian Hill | Thursday, August 21, through Sunday, August 24
Standup comic, movie star, former MTV VJ, and inventor of the term “booty call,” Bill Bellamy has a formidable résumé. See him in his element this weekend at Cobb’s Comedy Club, so long as you’re cool with a two-drink minimum and hilarious stories.
(915 Columbus Ave.; $22.50–$25; buy tickets here, or save with a Groupon)
Image credits: street-food photo by Anita Chu; street-soccer photo by Ye Ming, courtesy of Street Soccer USA; I Play With The Phrase Each Other still courtesy of Jay Alvarez; Bill Bellamy photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

If New York is the city that never sleeps, San Francisco manages to get at least seven hours a night. The needles scratch off the record at 2 a.m. sharp at most – but not all – dance venues, meaning there’s plenty of time to get to bed before the sun comes up. Or, thanks to a rising crop of after-hours clubs and an already extensive daytime dance scene, it’s possible to never leave the dance floor at all.
El Rio’s tiered backyard patio is home to dance parties. Typically populated by artsy types, the LGBT-heavy but by no means exclusive crowd is without exception friendly and relaxed. From the Hard French soul parties that kick up on Saturdays from early spring to fall, or the year-round second and fourth Salsa Sundays, the positive mood is inevitably infectious. The eclectic crowds are always willing to party, which means these events tend to start fast and fill up even faster.
The Bay Area’s relative dearth of megaclubs mean that superstar deejays rarely put in a residency anywhere in town, but Mighty comes closest. The Mission District’s most capacious venue keeps quiet on school nights, but Fridays and Saturdays the room plays host to a rotating set of sought-after spinners and hordes of late-night partiers. In the true underground spirit, you’d never know you were walking by the inconspicuous Mighty on, say, a Tuesday afternoon.
Also hidden in plain sight, on a spooky cul-de-sac near the 101 freeway in the Mission, is Public Works, which has become known as the go-to spot for large-scale parties on any celebratory holiday (think Cinco de Mayo, Pride or the Folsom Street Fair). This two-floor labyrinth often charges a pretty penny, depending on the event, but stays open until 3 a.m. and often later.
As the anchor tenant of the 11th Street entertainment quarter, DNA Lounge stands head-and-shoulders above the neighboring clubs. For decades, it’s been the place where superstars play their secret shows, while hosting a ridiculously wide variety of events from DJ mash-up nights and live bands to burlesque and theater. If you get winded on the floor, the adjacent pizza parlor stays open 24 hours a day. No word on whether dancing is allowed while you chow down on a slice.

Golden Gate Park is home to a multitude of things to see and explore. As a local, it's easy to take the park's offerings for granted, so why not have a "local tourist" day in the park to remind yourself of its many treasures. Start at the Conservatory of Flowers and work your way through as many museums, gardens and green spaces as you can handle.
The Conservatory of Flowers is a great place to start your day. At the NorthEast corner of Golden Gate Park, it is surrounded by beautiful lawns perfect for a picnic, and the entrance fee into the stunning white building is only $5 for SF residents. There are permanent exhibits as well as rotating special exhibits of exotic plants and insects.
After discovering what plants the Conservatory has to offer, stroll across the road and find yourself in the AIDS Memorial. This part of the park is perfect for taking a moment to connect with nature - something hard to do in such a busy city.
Follow this path through the redwoods to a beautifully cultivated lawn. There are several benches interspersed, making it a great place for a picnic or nap.
A short walk through the park will lead you to the "museum district" of Golden Gate Park. Here, you'll find the Academy of Sciences, the Music Concourse, and the De Young Museum.
The Academy of Sciences hosts several exhibits including an aquarium, planetarium, and even some hands-on project areas. It's a large space with much to explore. If your blood sugar starts running low, be sure to check out The Moss Room - the academy's own restaurant.
Be sure to look into the Academy of Science's Nightlife offerings. For about $12, every Thursday night, you'll get limited exhibit access and a show - sometimes a laser dance party, sometimes the latest up-and-coming band.
Before embarking on the beauty of the De Young Museum, take a moment to rest your feet in the Music Concourse. There are several fountains, and you might be lucky enough to catch a live performance on the stage.
The De Young Museum is known for art, pure and simple. The exhibits change every few months, so be sure to check out their site when planning your visit.
Just down the road from the De Young, you'll find the Japanese Tea Gardens: an authentic view into an actual Japanese style garden. March and April are great months to visit as the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Year round, there are several areas to explore, my favorite being the Koi ponds!
Haven't had your fill of nature's beauty yet? Be sure to check out the Botanical Gardens - there is an entrance just down the road from the Tea Garden. Here, you'll find acres of unique plants from around the world, and they even have plants for sale, so you can bring a piece of the botanical garden home.
To round out this day of natural beauty, head to the Rose Garden in between John F Kennedy Dr. and the Park Presidio Bypass.
With over 60 flower beds and roses from around the world, you're bound to discover a variety a rose you've never see before!